Marsha Nadalin struggled through school but this did not get in the way of her learning and developing her true passion. By focusing on her dreams and working hard at it, Marsha was able to attain success albeit slow and sometimes tumultuous.
For more than a decade Marsha’s salon and spa, has been a mark of excellence and a model of transformation in the cosmetology industry, stemming from years of experience and a spirit full of vigor for the profession.
Find out more about the fruition and growth of Marsha Nadalin Salon and Spa and how their deeply ingrained sense of community has started.
From Experimentation to Proper TrainingAt a young age, Marsha and her younger sister, Barbara, would always experiment with different things. Barbara looked up to Marsha being the older sibling.
“I was older and she respected and anything I said was actually okay so I definitely got her into a lot of trouble,” Marsha said.
One day, Marsha decided to experiment on Barbara’s hair, with an inkling of harnessing her creativity through the afternoon’s “activity”. Their mother came home and failed to see the creative aspect of the hairstyle that she has done to her sister, landing Marsha in big trouble. She set aside the plan, almost to forget totally about it, and went on to finish high school.
“Once I finished high school, I tried to figure out what I was going to do. I didn’t really think college was going to be the right answer for me so I was trying different things – ice cream, banks, restaurants; working in different places but not really connecting with those either and I wanted something that was more professional.”
She found her answer at Vidal Sassoon in Beverly Hills, which she thought was swanky, top-of-the-line, and very professional. Marsha talked to one of the assistants and asked her how she got started.
“She directed me to cosmetology school and my parents kind of got me going and helped me out. That’s how it all began.”
Marsha enrolled at the Marinello Beauty College in 1973.
Moving to HawaiiAfter getting her license, Marsha worked for Mitch and Co. Haircutters in Newport Beach for four years, acquiring much needed experience in the industry.
“I worked with a guy who gave me a lot of chances,” Marsha said. “The salon and I worked out well.”
Everything seemed to be falling in place in her career when she received a call from a long-time friend asking her if she could go on a backpacking trip across the Pacific. She said yes.
The two spent 11 months traveling across Asia Pacific; in New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand; sometimes living off of one dollar and 50 cents a day. The last leg of their adventure was in Hawaii where Marsha would rendezvous with her boyfriend who was moving to the Islands to surf.
In Hawaii, Marsha acquired her local cosmetology license and worked for several salons for more than a decade. One company, Sean Thomas Salon, allowed her to earn 20 percent of the company’s profits, ostensibly making her a part owner of the salon. This gave Marsha the opportunity to enhance her skill and knowledge in managing a business.
In 1993, Marsha bought Susan Thomas Salon from Percy Ansai; remodeled, renamed and updated its ambiance to appeal to both male and female clients.
Service Beyond ExpectationSince its inception, Marsha Nadalin Salon and Spa has been a model of service to other players in the industry. The company adds more than a good haircut or a fulfilling massage to every client visit. The team believes that offering their services at a prime level is a given to customers. It is by going beyond client expectation that sets Marsha Nadalin apart from other players.
“When you treat them really nice and you say hi to them and you compliment them and you say goodbye to them or you give them service beyond their expectation, then that’s what really makes you stand out,” she said.
Marsha Nadalin staff is constantly trained to provide the best customer service. Marsha trusts that the positive vibe is passed on to clients when the staff is kept creative, happy and excited about their job.
Remembering the CommunityMarsha Nadalin has not forgotten her position in the community despite all her uplifting successes through the years – being able to expand, develop and ground a loyal client base. However, according to Marsha, being involved too much in the activities of her business delayed her from extending her arms to the disadvantaged.
“In the beginning, I was probably kind of ignorant to the whole thing,” she said. “My whole focus is on the business and I was not really looking outside as much as I should be.”
Her social engagement began after 9-11, when she realized that there is so much going on in the real world. Since then, her community involvement has snowballed and through the years has become a staple in the day-to-day activities involving her and the staff.
Marsha Nadalin has distributed hundreds of gift certificates for their service, benefiting a wide array of non-profits including The American Heart Association, Planned Parenthood, The Honolulu Symphony, March of Dimes, New Hope Ministry, PBS, and numerous local schools, through the years.
Their social involvement goes even beyond the Islands. Many of their charity initiatives benefit communities on the mainland and even across oceans, namely during the Hurricane Katrina tragedy of 2005 and the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.
On August 26, Marsha Nadalin Salon & Spa celebrated their Annex expansion by partnering with Make A Wish Hawaii in helping children with life threatening illnesses fulfill their dreams. Marsha Nadalin employees offered mini services for a minimum of $10 with all proceeds going to the foundation. These mini services included hand massages, makeup touch up, hair styling, mini facials and chair massages.
“Make-A-Wish is a wonderful organization that grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses,” Marsha said. “The wonderful thing also is all money raised from our event goes to local children.”
Please visit
www.marshanadalinsalonandspa.com for more information.
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